Organic light emitting display module and organic light emitting display device having the same

ABSTRACT

Provided is an organic light emitting display module including an active area, a pad area, and a boundary area between the active area and the pad area. Unlike the active area and the pad area, since the boundary area does not include an inorganic layer, less stress is applied to the boundary area when the boundary area is bent. Display panel pads and touch sensing member pads are disposed at the same height without having a height difference therebetween. Thus, a dummy pad may be added to remove the height difference between the display panel pads and the touch sensing member pads.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/870,832 filed on May 8, 2020, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/562,479filed on Sep. 6, 2019 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,651,246), which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/667,429filed on Aug. 2, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,418,425), which claimspriority under 35 USC § 119 to Korean Patent Application No.10-2016-0098607, filed on Aug. 2, 2016, the entire contents of which intheir entirety are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of Disclosure

The present disclosure herein relates to a display device, and moreparticularly, to a display device with which a touch sensing unit isintegrated.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various display devices used in multimedia devices such as televisions,mobile phones, table computers, navigation devices, and game consolesare being developed. Such a display device includes a keyboard or amouse as an input unit. Also, in recent years, the display deviceincludes a touch sensing member as an input unit.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a display device in which a steppedportion between a pad unit of a display panel and a pad unit of a touchsensing member is removed to reduce defects occurring in a manufacturingprocess.

The present disclosure also provides a display device having improvedreliability when a boundary area between an active area and a pad areaon a display panel is bent.

An embodiment of the inventive concept provides an organic lightemitting display module including a base layer, a first circuit layer, adevice layer, an encapsulation layer, a plurality of touch electrodes, asecond circuit layer, and a boundary layer. The base layer includes anactive area, a pad area, and a boundary area between the active area andthe pad area. The device layer is disposed on the first circuit layerand includes an organic light emitting device configured to generatelight by using an electrical signal provided from the first conductivepattern. The encapsulation layer is disposed on the device layer. Theplurality of touch electrodes are disposed on the encapsulation layer.The second circuit layer is disposed on the pad area of the base layerand includes a plurality of inorganic layers and a second conductivepattern. The boundary layer disposed on the boundary area of the baselayer and comprising an organic layer and a third conductive patternconfigured to electrically connect the first conductive pattern to thesecond conductive pattern. The boundary layer may not include aninorganic layer disposed on the base layer.

In an embodiment, the plurality of inorganic layers of the first circuitlayer may include a first functional layer contacting the base layer,and the plurality of inorganic layers of the second circuit layer mayinclude a second functional layer directly contacting the base layer.

In an embodiment, the second conductive pattern may include a displaypanel pad and a touch sensing member pad. The display panel pad may bedisposed on the second functional layer and electrically connected tothe first conductive pattern. The touch sensing member pad may bedisposed adjacent to the display panel pad on the second functionallayer, electrically connected to the plurality of touch electrodes, andinsulated from the first conductive pattern.

In an embodiment, the display panel pad may include: a lower displaypanel pad; and an upper display panel pad disposed on the lower displaypanel pad and electrically connected to the lower display panel pad.

In an embodiment, the touch sensing member pad may include: a lowertouch sensing member pad; and an upper touch sensing member pad disposedon the lower touch sensing member pad.

In an embodiment, the first conductive pattern may include a transistorincluding a control electrode, an input electrode, and an outputelectrode, and the input electrode, the output electrode, the lowerdisplay panel pad, and the lower touch sensing member pad may bedisposed on the same layer.

In an embodiment, the second conductive pattern may further include adummy electrode disposed on the same layer as the control electrode.

In an embodiment, the organic light emitting display module may furtherinclude a touch signal line extending from at least one of the pluralityof touch electrodes to contact the upper touch sensing member pad.

In an embodiment, the second circuit layer may further include aplurality of insulation layers disposed between the upper display panelpad and the lower display panel pad, and the plurality of insulationlayers may be disposed between the upper touch sensing member pad andthe lower touch sensing member pad.

In an embodiment, the lower touch sensing member pad may be electricallyisolated.

In an embodiment, the lower touch sensing member pad may be electricallyconnected to the upper touch sensing member pad.

In an embodiment, the upper display panel pad may contact the lowerdisplay panel pad, and the lower touch sensing member pad may contactthe lower touch sensing member pad.

In an embodiment, the first functional layer and the second functionallayer may respectively include a barrier layer and a buffer layer.

In an embodiment, the organic light emitting display module may furtherinclude a driving circuit overlapping the pad area and configured tocontrol an electrical signal flow between the display panel pad and thefirst conductive pattern.

In an embodiment, the first circuit layer may further include an organiclayer disposed on the first conductive pattern, and the boundary layermay further include an organic layer disposed on the third conductivepattern.

In an embodiment, the boundary area and the boundary layer of the baselayer may be bendable.

In an embodiment of the inventive concept, an organic light emittingdisplay device includes an organic light emitting display panel and atouch sensing member disposed on the organic light emitting displaypanel.

In an embodiment, the organic light emitting display panel may include abase layer, a conductive pattern, a device layer, and an encapsulationlayer. The base layer may include an active area, a pad area, and aboundary area between the active area and the pad area. The conductivepattern may overlap the active area, disposed on the base layer, beformed through a low temperature poly Si (LTPS) process, and include adisplay panel pad and a touch sensing member pad disposed adjacent tothe display panel pad, wherein the touch sensing member pad and thedisplay panel pad may receive an electrical signal from the outside. Thedevice layer may be disposed on the conductive pattern and include anorganic light emitting device configured to generate light by using theelectrical signal provided from the conductive pattern. Theencapsulation layer may be disposed on the device layer.

In an embodiment, the touch sensing member may include a plurality oftouch electrodes and a plurality of touch signal lines. The plurality oftouch electrodes may be disposed on the encapsulation layer. Theplurality of touch signal lines may extend from the plurality of touchelectrodes and be electrically connected to the conductive pattern,wherein portions of the touch signal lines, which overlap the boundaryarea, may be disposed between two organic layers.

In an embodiment, the organic light emitting display device may furtherinclude a printed circuit board electrically connected to the touchsensing member pad and the display panel pad, wherein portions of theorganic light emitting display panel and the touch sensing member, whichoverlap the boundary area, may be bent.

In an embodiment of the inventive concept, an organic light emittingdisplay module includes a base layer, a first functional layer, aplurality of transistors, a device layer, an encapsulation layer, aplurality of touch electrodes, a second functional layer, a firstdisplay panel pad, a first touch sensing member pad, a second displaypanel pad, a second touch sensing member pad, and a boundary layer.

In an embodiment, the base layer may include an active area, a pad area,and a boundary area between the active area and the pad area. The firstfunctional layer may be disposed on the active area of the base layerand include an inorganic material. The plurality of transistors may bedisposed on the first functional layer. The device layer may include anorganic light emitting device configured to generate light by using anelectrical signal provided from at least one of the plurality oftransistors. The encapsulation layer may be disposed on the device layerand include an organic material and an inorganic material. The pluralityof touch electrodes may be disposed on the encapsulation layer. Thesecond functional layer may be disposed on the pad area of the baselayer and include an inorganic material. The first display panel pad maybe disposed on the second functional layer and electrically connected toat least one of the plurality of transistors. The first touch sensingmember pad may be disposed adjacent to the first display panel pad onthe second functional layer and insulated from the plurality oftransistors. The second display panel pad may be disposed on the firstdisplay panel pad and electrically connected to the first display panelpad. The second touch sensing member pad may be disposed on the firsttouch sensing member pad and electrically connected to at least one ofthe plurality of touch electrodes. The boundary layer may be disposed onthe boundary area of the base layer and include an organic material. Theboundary layer does not include an inorganic layer disposed on the baselayer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the inventive concept, and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrateexemplary embodiments of the inventive concept and, together with thedescription, serve to explain principles of the inventive concept. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating a first operation of adisplay device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating a second operation of thedisplay device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view illustrating a third operation of thedisplay device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating a first operation of adisplay device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustrating a second operation of thedisplay device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the display device according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a display module according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an organic light emitting display panelaccording to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 6 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are partial cross-sectional views of the organic lightemitting display panel according to an embodiment of the inventiveconcept;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a touch sensing member according to anembodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion AA of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 12 is a view of display panel pads of FIG. 5 and touch sensingmember pads of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 14C and 14D are cross-sectional views taken along line IV-IV′ ofFIG. 12 ;

FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-III′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 15C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-III′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-III′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIGS. 17C and 17D are cross-sectional views taken along line IV-IV′ ofFIG. 12 ;

FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 12;

FIG. 18C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-III′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 19C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-III′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 20C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 21A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 21B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-III′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIG. 21C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 12 ;

FIGS. 22 and 23 are plan views of a display module and a printed circuitboard according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; and

FIG. 24 is a view illustrating a bent shape of the display moduleaccording to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the inventive concept will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, it willalso be understood that when one component (or region, layer, portion)is referred to as being ‘on’, ‘connected to’, or ‘coupled to’ anothercomponent, it can be directly disposed/connected/coupled on/to the onecomponent, or an intervening third component may also be present.

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Also, in thefigures, the thickness, ratio, and dimensions of components areexaggerated for clarity of illustration. The term “and/or” includes anyand all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that although the terms such as ‘first’ and‘second’ are used herein to describe various elements, these elementsshould not be limited by these terms. The terms are only used todistinguish one component from other components. For example, a firstelement referred to as a first element in one embodiment can be referredto as a second element in another embodiment without departing from thescope of the appended claims. The terms of a singular form may includeplural forms unless referred to the contrary.

Also, “under”, “below”, “above”, “upper”, and the like are used forexplaining relation association of components illustrated in thedrawings. The terms may be a relative concept and described based ondirections expressed in the drawings.

The meaning of ‘include’ or ‘comprise’ specifies a property, a fixednumber, a step, an operation, an element, a component or a combinationthereof, but does not exclude other properties, fixed numbers, steps,operations, elements, components or combinations thereof.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating a first operation of adisplay device DD according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating a second operation of thedisplay device DD according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.FIG. 1C is a perspective view illustrating a third operation of thedisplay device DD according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, in a first operation mode, a display surfaceIS on which an image IM is displayed is parallel to a surface that isdefined by a first directional axis DR1 and a second directional axisDR2. A normal direction of the display surface IS, i.e., a thicknessdirection of the display device DD, is indicated as a third directionalaxis DR3. A front surface (or top surface) and a rear surface (or bottomsurface) of each members are distinguished by the third directional axisDR3. However, directions indicated as the first to third directionalaxes DR1, DR2, and DR3 may be a relative concept and thus changed intodifferent directions. Hereinafter, the first to third directions may bedirections indicated by the first to third directional axes DR1, DR2,and DR3 and designated by the same reference numerals, respectively.Although a flexible display device is illustrated in the currentembodiment, the embodiment of the inventive concept is not limitedthereto. The display device DD according to the current embodiment maybe a rigid display device.

FIGS. 1A to 1C illustrate a foldable display device as an example of theflexible display device DD. FIGS. 2A 2B illustrate a foldable displaydevice as an example of the flexible display device DD. Alternatively,the display device DD may be a rollable flexible display device, but benot specifically limited. The flexible display device DD according to anembodiment of the inventive concept may be used for large-sizedelectronic devices such as televisions and monitors and small andmiddle-sized electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablet PC,navigation units for vehicles, game consoles, and smart watches.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the display surface IS of the flexibledisplay device DD may include a plurality of areas. The flexible displaydevice DD include a display area DD-DA on which the image IM isdisplayed and a non-display area DD-NDA that is adjacent to the displayarea DD-DA. The non-display area DD-NDA may be an area on which an imageis not displayed. FIG. 1A illustrates a flower vase as an example of theimage IM. For example, the display area DD-DA may have a rectangularshape. The non-display area DD-NDA may surround the display area DD-DA.However, the embodiment of the inventive concept is not limited thereto.For example, the display area DD-DA and the non-display area DD-NDA maybe relatively designed in shape.

The flexible display device DD may include a housing HS. The housing HSmay be disposed outside the flexible display device DD to accommodateinner components. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, thehousing HS may be separately illustrated or not be described.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the display device DD may include aplurality of areas defined according to the forms of operations. Thedisplay device DD may include a bending area BA that is bent on abending axis BX, a first non-bending area NBA1 that is not bent, and asecond non-bending area NBA2 that is not bent. As illustrated in FIG.1B, the display device DD may be bent inward to allow the displaysurface IS of the first non-bending area NBA1 and the display surface ISof the second non-bending area NBA2 to face each other. As illustratedin FIG. 1C, the display device DD may be bent outward to allow thedisplay surface IS to be exposed to outside.

In an embodiment of the inventive concept, the display device DD mayinclude a plurality of bending areas BA. In addition, the bending areasBA may be formed to corresponding to user's operation for manipulatingthe display device DD. For example, the bending areas BA may be formedin parallel to the first directional axis DR1 or formed in a diagonaldirection, unlike FIGS. 1B and 1C. The bending area BA may have avariable surface area that is determined according to a curvature radiusthereof. In an embodiment of the inventive concept, the display deviceDD may have a shape in which only an operation mode of FIGS. 1A and 1Bis repeated.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating a first operation of adisplay device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. FIG.2B is a perspective view illustrating a second operation of the displaydevice according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. FIGS. 2A and2B illustrate a display device in which the non-display area DD-NDA isfolded as an example of the foldable display device DD. As describedabove, the display device DD according to an embodiment of the inventiveconcept is not limited to the number of bending areas BA and non-bendingarea NBA, and a position of the bending area.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the display device DD according toan embodiment of the inventive concept. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional viewof a display module DM according to an embodiment of the inventiveconcept. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view defined by the seconddirectional axis DR2 and the third directional axis DR3, and FIG. 4illustrates a cross-sectional view defined by the first directional axisDR1 and the third directional axis DR3.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the display device DD includes a protectionfilm PM, a window WM, a display module DM, a first adhesion member AM1,and a second adhesion member AM2. The display module DM is disposedbetween the protection film PM and the window WM. The first adhesionmember AM1 is coupled to the display module DM and the protection filmPM, and the second adhesion member AM2 is coupled to the display moduleDM and the window WM. In an embodiment of the inventive concept, thefirst adhesion member AM1 and the second adhesion member AM2 may beomitted. The protection film PM and the window WM may be continuouslymanufactured through a coating process.

The protection film PM protects the display module DM. The protectionfilm PM provides a first outer surface OS-L that is exposed to theoutside and an adhesion surface AS1 that adheres to the first adhesionmember AM1. The protection film PM prevents external moisture from beingpermeated into the display member DM and absorbs an external impact.

The protection film PM may include a plastic film. The protection filmPM may include one selected from the group consisting ofpolyethersulphone (PES), polyacrylate (PAR), polyetherimide (PEI),polyethyelenen naphthalate (PEN), polyethyeleneterepthalate (PET),polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyallylate, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate(PC), poly(aryleneether sulfone), and a combination thereof.

A material for forming the protection film PM is not limited to plasticresins. For example, the protection film PM may include anorganic/inorganic composite material. The protection film PM may includea porous organic layer and an inorganic material that is filled intopores of the porous organic layer. The protection film PM may furtherinclude a functional layer disposed on a plastic film. The functionallayer may include a resin layer. The functional layer may be formedthrough a coating process.

The window WM protects the display module DM against the external impactand provides an input surface to a user. The window WM provides a secondouter surface OS-U that is exposed to the outside and an adhesionsurface AS2 that adheres to the second adhesion member AM2. The displaysurface IS of FIGS. 1A to 1C may be the second outer surface OS-U.

In the display device DD of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the window WM may not bedisposed on the bending area BA. However, the embodiment of theinventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, in anotherembodiment of the inventive concept, the window WM may also be disposedon the bending area BA.

The display module DM includes an organic light emitting display panelDP and a touch sensing unit TS, which are integrally formed through acontinuous process. The organic light emitting display panel DPgenerates the image (see reference symbol IM of FIG. 1A) correspondingto inputted image data. The organic light emitting display panel DPprovides a first display panel surface BS1-L and a second display panelsurface BS1-U, which face each other in the thickness direction DR3.

The touch sensing unit TS acquires coordinate information of an externalinput. The touch sensing unit TS may be directly disposed on the seconddisplay panel surface BS1-U. In the current embodiment, the touchsensing unit TS may be manufactured together with the organic lightemitting display panel DP through the continuous process.

Although not separately shown, the display module DM according to anembodiment of the inventive concept may further include anantireflection layer. The antireflection layer may include a colorfiler, a laminated structure of a conductive layer/a dielectric layer/aconductive layer, or an optical member. The antireflection layer mayabsorb, destructively interfere with, or polarize light incident fromthe outside to reduce reflectance of external light.

Each of the first adhesion member AM1 and the second adhesion member AM2may be an optically clear adhesive film (OCA), an optically clear resin(OCR), or a pressure sensitive adhesive film (PSA). Each of the firstadhesion member AM1 and the second adhesion member AM2 may include aphotocurable adhesion material or a heat-curable adhesion material.However, the embodiment of the inventive concept is not particularlylimited thereto.

Although not particularly shown, the display device DD may furtherinclude a frame structure that supports the functional layers tomaintain the state illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 2B. The frame structuremay include a joint structure or a hinge structure.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the organic light emitting display panel DPincludes a base layer SUB, a first circuit layer CL1 disposed on thebase layer SUB, a light emitting device layer ELL, and a thin filmencapsulation layer TFE. The base layer SUB may include at least oneplastic film. The base layer SUB may include a plastic substrate, aglass substrate, a metal substrate, or an organic/inorganic compositesubstrate as a flexible substrate.

The first circuit layer CL1 may include a plurality of insulationlayers, a plurality of conductive layers, and a semiconductor layer. Theplurality of conductive layers of the first circuit layer CL1 mayconstitute signal lines or a circuit part of a pixel. The light emittingdevice layer ELL may include organic light emitting diodes OLEDs. Thethin film encapsulation layer TFE seals the light emitting device layerELL. The thin film encapsulation layer TEF may include at least twoinorganic thin films and an organic thin film disposed between the atleast two inorganic thin films. The thin film encapsulation layer TFEmay protect the light emitting device ELL against foreign substancessuch as moisture and dust particles.

In the current embodiment of the inventive concept, the touch sensingunit TS may be a single layer type. That is, the touch sensing unit TSmay include a single conductive layer. Here, the single conductive layermeans that a conductive layer is not divided by the insulating layer. Alaminated structure of a first metal layer/a second metal layer/a metaloxide layer may correspond to a signal conductive layer because thefirst metal layer and the second metal layer are not insulated by themetal oxide layer, and a laminated structure of a first meal layer/aninsulation layer/a metal oxide layer may correspond to a doubleconductive layer.

The single conductive layer may be patterned to form a plurality oftouch electrodes and a plurality of touch signal lines. That is, thesensors of the touch sensing unit TS may be disposed on the same layer.The sensors may be directly disposed on the thin film encapsulationlayer TFE. Also, a portion of each of the touch signal lines may bedisposed on the same layer as the sensors. A portion of each of thetouch signal lines may be disposed on the circuit layer CL1. A structureof the touch sensing unit TS will be described in detail later.

Each of the touch signal lines and the sensors may include indium tinoxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), or indium tinzinc oxide (ITZO), PEDOT, a metal nano wire, and graphene. Each of thetouch signal lines and the sensors may include a metal layer, forexample, molybdenum, silver, titanium, copper, aluminum, and an alloythereof. The touch signal lines and the sensors may include the samematerial or materials different from each other.

The display module DM according to an embodiment of the inventiveconcept may include a single layer-type touch sensing member to simplifya structure thereof when compared to that of a display module DMincluding a multilayer-type touch sensing member. Although the displaymodule DM is bent as illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 1C, stress generated inthe touch sensing unit TS may be reduced because the touch sensing unitTS is slim.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the organic light emitting display panel DPaccording to an embodiment of the inventive concept. FIG. 6 is anequivalent circuit diagram of the pixel PX according to an embodiment ofthe inventive concept. FIGS. 7 and 8 are partial cross-sectional viewsof the organic light emitting display panel DP according to anembodiment of the inventive concept.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the organic light emitting display panel DPincludes a display area DA and a non-display area NDA. The display areaDA and the non-display area NDA of the organic light emitting displaypanel DP may correspond to the display area DD-DA and the non-displayarea DD-NDA of the display apparatus DD, respectively. It is unnecessarythat the display area DA and the non-display area NDA of the organiclight emitting display panel DP respectively correspond to the displayarea DD-DA and the non-display area DD-NDA of the display apparatus DD.For example, the display area DA and the non-display area NDA of theorganic light emitting display panel DP may be changed according to astructure/design of the organic light emitting display panel DP.

The organic light emitting display panel DP may include a plurality ofsignal lines SGL and a plurality of pixels PX. An area on which theplurality of pixels PX are disposed may be defined as the display areaDA. In the current embodiment, the non-display area NDA may be definedalong an edge of the display area DA and surrounds the display area DA.

The plurality of signal lines SGL includes gate lines GL, data lines DL,a power line PL, and a control signal line CSL. The gate lines GL areconnected to corresponding pixels of the plurality of pixels PX, and thedata lines DL are connected to corresponding pixels PX of the pluralityof pixels PX, respectively. The power line PL is connected to theplurality of pixels PX. A gate driving circuit DCV to which the gatelines GL are connected may be disposed on one side of the non-displayarea NDA. The control signal line CSL may provide control signals to thegate driving circuit DCV.

Portions of the gate lines GL, the data lines DL, the power lines PL,and the control signal line CSL may be disposed on the same layer, andother portions may be disposed on layers different from each other. Whenthe signal lines, which are disposed on one layer, of the gate lines GL,the data lines DL, the power lines PL, and the control signal line CSLare defined as a first signal line, the signal lines disposed on onedifferent layer may be defined as a second signal line. The signal linesdisposed on further another layer may be defined as a third signal line.

Each of the gate lines GL, the data lines DL, the power lines PL, andthe control signal line CSL may include a signal line unit and lowerpads PD-D connected to an end of the signal line unit. The signal lineunit may be defined as portions except for the lower pads PD-D of eachof the gate lines GL, the data lines DL, the power lines PL, and thecontrol signal line CSL.

In an embodiment of the inventive concept, the lower pads PD-D mayinclude a lower display panel pad PD-DPD and a lower touch sensingmember pad PD-TSD. The lower pads PD-D may be formed through the sameprocess as transistors for driving the pixels PX. For example, thetransistors for driving the pixels PX and the lower pads PD-D may beformed through the same low temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS)process or low temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) process.

In an embodiment of the inventive concept, the display panel pads PD-DPmay include a control pad CSL-P, a data pad DL-P, and a power pad PL-P.Although the gate pad unit is not illustrated, the gate pad unit mayoverlap the gate driving circuit DCV and be connected to the gatedriving circuit DCV. Although not particularly shown, a portion of thenon-display area NDA on which the control pad CSL-P, the data pad DL-P,and the power pad PL-P are aligned may be defined as a pad area. Asdescribed below, the pads of the touch sensing unit TS may be disposedadjacent to the pads of the above-described organic light emittingdisplay panel DP.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a pixel PX connected to one gate lineGL, one data line DL, and the power line PL. However, the embodiment ofthe inventive concept is not limited to the configuration of the pixelPX. For example, the pixel PX may have various configurations.

The pixel PX includes an organic light emitting diode OLED as a displaydevice. The organic light emitting diode OLED may be a top emission-typediode or a bottom emission-type diode. The pixel PX includes a firsttransistor TFT1 (or a switching transistor), a second transistor TFT2(or a driving transistor), and a capacitor CP as a circuit unit fordriving the organic light emitting diode OLED. The organic lightemitting diode OLED generates light in response to an electrical signalprovided from the transistors TFT1 and TFT2. A cathode of the organiclight emitting diode OLED is connected to a second power source voltage(ELVSS).

The first transistor TFT1 outputs a data signal applied to the data lineDL in response to a scanning signal applied to the gate line GL. Thecapacitor CP charges a voltage corresponding to the data signal receivedfrom the first transistor TFT1.

The second transistor TFT2 is connected to the organic light emittingdiode OLED. The second transistor TFT2 controls driving current flowingthrough the organic light emitting diode OLED to correspond to a chargeamount stored in the capacitor CP. The organic light emitting diode OLEDemits light during a turn-on period of the second transistor TFT2.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of portions corresponding to the firsttransistor TFT1 and the capacitor CP of the equivalent circuit of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of portions corresponding to thesecond transistor TFT2 and the organic light emitting diode OLED of theequivalent circuit of FIG. 6 .

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the first circuit layer CL1 isdisposed on the base layer SUB. A semiconductor pattern AL1(hereinafter, referred to as a first semiconductor pattern) of the firsttransistor TFT1 and a semiconductor pattern AL2 (hereinafter, referredto as a second semiconductor pattern) of the second transistor TFT2 aredisposed on the base layer SUB. The first and second semiconductorpatterns AL1 and AL2 may be selected from amorphous silicon,polysilicon, and a metal oxide semiconductor. The first semiconductorpatterns AL1 and the second semiconductor pattern AL2 may be formed ofthe same material. The first semiconductor patterns AL1 and the secondsemiconductor pattern AL2 may be formed of different materials.

The first circuit layer CL1 includes a first conductive pattern (seereference numeral CDP1 of FIG. 12 ) and organic/inorganic layers BR, BF,12, 14, and 16. The first conductive pattern (see reference numeral CDP1of FIG. 12 ) may include a first transistor TFT1, a second transistorTFT2, and electrodes E1 and E2. The organic/inorganic layers BR, BF, 12,14, and 16 may include first functional layers BR and BF, a firstinsulation layer 12, a second insulation layer 14, and a thirdinsulation layer 16.

The functional layers BR and BF may be disposed on one surface of thebase layer SUB. The functional layers BR and BF may include at least oneof a barrier layer BR or a buffer layer BF. The first and secondsemiconductor patterns AL1 and AL2 may be disposed on the barrier layerBR or the buffer layer BF.

The first insulation layer 12 covering the first and secondsemiconductor patterns AL1 and AL2 is disposed on the base layer SUB.The first insulation layer 12 includes an organic layer and/or aninorganic layer. Particularly, the first insulation layer 12 may includea plurality of inorganic thin films. The plurality of inorganic thinfilms may include a silicon nitride layer and a silicon oxide layer.

A control electrode GE1 (hereinafter, referred to as a first controlelectrode) of the first transistor TFT1 and a control electrode GE2(hereinafter, referred to as a second control electrode) of the secondtransistor TFT2 are disposed on the first insulation layer 12. A firstelectrode E1 of the capacitor CP is disposed on the first insulationlayer 12. The first control electrode GE1, the second control electrodeGE2, and the first electrode E1 may be manufactured by the samephotolithograph process as that of the gate lines GL (see FIG. 5 ). Thatis, the first electrode E1 may be formed of the same material as thegate lines GL, have the same laminated structure as the gate lines GL,and be disposed on the same layer as the gate lines GL.

A second insulation layer 14 covering the first and second controlelectrodes GE1 and GE2 and the first electrode E1 is disposed on thefirst insulation layer 12. The second insulation layer 14 includes anorganic layer and/or an inorganic layer. Particularly, the secondinsulation layer 14 may include a plurality of inorganic thin films. Theplurality of inorganic thin films may include a silicon nitride layerand a silicon oxide layer.

The data lines DL (see FIG. 3A) may be disposed on the second insulationlayer 14. An input electrode SE1 (hereinafter, referred to as a firstinput electrode) and an output electrode DE1 (hereinafter, referred toas a first output electrode) of the first transistor TFT1 are disposedon the second insulation layer 14. An input electrode SE2 (hereinafter,referred to as a second input electrode) and an output electrode DE2(hereinafter, referred to as a second output electrode) of the secondtransistor TFT2 are disposed on the second insulation layer 14. Thefirst input electrode SE1 is branched from a corresponding data line ofthe data lines DL. The power line PL (see FIG. 5 ) may be disposed onthe same layer as the data lines DL. The second input electrode SE2 maybe branched from the power line PL.

A second electrode E2 of the capacitor CP is disposed on the secondinsulation layer 14. The second electrode E2 may be manufactured by thesame photolithograph process as that of each of the data line DL and thepower line PL. Also, the second electrode E2 may be formed of the samematerial, have the same structure, and be disposed on the same layer asthat of each of the data line DL and the power line PL.

The first input electrode SE1 and the first output electrode DE1 areconnected to the first semiconductor pattern AL1 through first andsecond through holes CH1 and CH2, which pass through the first andsecond insulation layers 12 and 14, respectively. The first outputelectrode DE1 may be electrically connected to the first electrode E1.For example, the first output electrode DE1 may be connected to thefirst electrode E1 through a through hole (not shown) passing throughthe second insulation layer 14. The second input electrode SE2 and thesecond output electrode DE2 are connected to the second semiconductorpattern AL2 through third and fourth through holes CH3 and CH4, whichpass through the first and second insulation layers 12 and 14,respectively. According to another embodiment of the inventive concept,each of the first and second transistors TFT1 and TFT2 may have a bottomgate structure.

A third insulation layer 16 covering the first input electrode SE1, thefirst output electrode DE1, the second input electrode SE2, and thesecond output electrode DE2 is disposed on the second insulation layer14. The third insulation layer 16 includes an organic layer and/or aninorganic layer. Particularly, the third insulation layer 16 may includean organic material to provide a flat surface.

One of the first, second, and third insulation layers 12, 14, and 16 maybe omitted according to the circuit structure of the pixel. Each of thesecond and third insulation layers 14 and 16 may be defined as aninterlayer dielectric layer. The interlayer dielectric layer may bedisposed between a lower conductive pattern, which is disposed under theinterlayer dielectric layer, and an upper conductive pattern, which isdisposed above the interlayer dielectric layer, to insulate theconductive patterns from each other.

The first circuit layer CL1 includes dummy conductive patterns. Thedummy conductive patterns are disposed on the same layer as thesemiconductor patterns AL1 and AL2, the control electrodes GE1 and GE2,or the output electrodes DE1 and DE2. The dummy conductive patterns maybe disposed on the non-display area NDA (see FIG. 5 ). The dummyconductive patterns will be described later in detail.

The light emitting device layer ELL is disposed on the third insulationlayer 16. A pixel defining layer PXL and the organic light emittingdiode OLED are disposed on the third insulation layer 16. An anode AE isdisposed on the third insulation layer 16. The anode AE is connected tothe second output electrode DE2 through a fifth through hole CH5 passingthrough the third insulation layer 16. An opening OP is defined in thepixel defining layer PXL. The opening OP of the pixel defining layer PXLexposes at least a portion of the anode AE.

The light emitting device layer ELL may include an emission area PXA anda non-emission area NPXA that is adjacent to the emission area PXA. Thenon-emission area NPXA may surround the emission area PXA. In thecurrent embodiment, the emission area PXA is defined to correspond tothe anode AE. However, the embodiment of the inventive concept is notlimited to the above-described emission area PXA. That is, if light isemitted from an area, the area may be defined as the emission area PXA.The emission area PXA may be defined to correspond to a portion of theanode AE, which is exposed by the opening OP.

A hole control layer HCL may be commonly disposed on the emission areaPXA and the non-emission area NPXA. Although not particularly shown, acommon layer such as the hole control layer HCL may be commonly disposedon the plurality of pixels PX (see FIG. 5 ).

An organic light emitting layer EML is disposed on the hole controllayer HCL. The organic light emitting layer EML may be disposed to coverthe opening OP. The organic light emitting layer EML adjacent to eachother are electrically separated from each other.

An electronic control layer ECL is disposed on the organic lightemitting layer EML. A cathode CE is disposed on the electronic controllayer ECL. The cathode CE is commonly disposed on the plurality ofpixels PX.

Although the patterned organic light emitting layer EML is illustratedas an example in the current embodiment, the organic light emittinglayer EML may be commonly disposed on the plurality of pixels PX. Here,the organic light emitting layer EML may emit white light. Also, theorganic light emitting layer EML may have a multilayer structure.

In the current embodiment, the thin film encapsulation layer TFEdirectly covers the cathode CE. In the current embodiment, a cappinglayer covering the cathode CE may be further disposed. Here, the thinfilm encapsulation layer TFE directly covers the capping layer. The thinfilm encapsulation layer TFE may include an organic layer including anorganic material and an inorganic layer including an inorganic material.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the touch sensing unit TS according to anembodiment of the inventive concept.

In the current embodiment, a 1-layered capacitive touch sensing memberTS is illustrated as an example. The 1-layered capacitive touch sensingmember TS may be driven in a self-capacitance manner or a mutualcapacitance manner. However, an embodiment of the inventive concept isnot limited to the driving manner for acquiring the coordinateinformation. Also, the touch sensing member TS may not be limited to the1-layered structure. For example, the touch sensing member TS may have a2-layered structure.

The touch sensing member TS may include first touch patterns TE1-1 toTE-3, first touch signal lines SL1, second touch patterns TE2-1 toTE2-2, second touch signal lines SL2, and touch sensing member pad upperpads PD-U.

The first touch patterns TE1-1 to TE1-3 extend in the first directionDR1 and are arranged in the second direction DR2. Each of the firsttouch patterns TE1-1 to TE1-3 may have a mesh shape in which a pluralityof touch openings OP-TC are defined.

Each of the first touch patterns TE1-1 to TE1-3 includes a plurality offirst sensing patterns SP1 and a plurality of first connection patternsCPL. The first sensing patterns SP1 are arranged in the first directionDR1. Each of the first connection patterns connects two adjacent firstsensing patterns SP1 arranged along a first direction DR1.

Each of the first touch signal lines SL1 may be connected to one end ofthe first touch patterns TE1-1 to TE1-3 and connected to pads in the padarea. The first touch signal lines SL may have the same layeredstructure as the first touch patterns TE1-1 to TE1-3.

The second touch patterns TE2-1 and TE2-3 are insulated from the firsttouch patterns TE1-1 to TE1-3 and cross the first touch patterns TE1-1to TE1-3. The second touch patterns TE2-1 and TE2-3 are insulated fromthe first touch patterns TE1-1 to TE1-3 by insulation patterns IL-P. Theinsulation patterns IL-P may include an inorganic or organic material.The inorganic material may include silicon oxide or silicon nitride. Theorganic material may include at least one of an acrylic-based resin, amethacrylic-based resin, a polyisoprene-based resin, a vinyl-basedresin, an epoxy-based resin, a urethane-based resin, a cellulose-basedresin, or a perylene-based resin.

Each of the second touch patterns TE2-1 to TE2-3 may have a mesh shapein which a plurality of touch openings OP-TC are defined.

Each of the second touch patterns TE2-1 to TE2-3 includes a plurality ofsecond sensing patterns SP2 and a plurality of second connectionpatterns CP2. The second sensing patterns SP2 are arranged in the seconddirection DR.2. Each of the second connection patterns CP2 connects twoadjacent second sensing patterns SP2 arranged along the second directionDR2.

Each of the second connection patterns CP2 may have a bridge function.The insulation patterns IL-P are disposed on the first connectionpatterns CP1, and the second connection patterns CP2 are disposed on theinsulation patterns IL-P.

Each of the second touch signal lines SL2-1 or SL2-3 may also beconnected to one end of the second touch patterns TE2-1 to TE2-3 andconnected to pads in the pad area. The second touch signal lines SL2-1to SL2-3 may have the same layered structure as the second touchpatterns TE2-1 to TE2-3.

The first touch patterns TE1-1 to TE1-3 and the second touch patternsTE2-1 and TE2-3 are capacitively coupled to each other. Since touchsensing signals are applied to the first touch patterns TE1-1 to TE1-3,capacitors are disposed between the first sensing patterns SP1 and thesecond sensing patterns SP2.

The shapes of the first touch patterns TE1-1 to TE1-3 and the secondtouch patterns TE2-1 to TE2-3 may be merely examples, and thus, theembodiment of the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example,the connection patterns CP1 and CP2 may be defined as portions at whichthe first touch patterns TE1-1 to TE1-3 and the second touch patternsTE2-1 to TE2-3 cross each other, and the sensing patterns SP1 and SP2may be defined as portions at which the first touch patterns TE1-1 toTE1-3 and the second touch patterns TE2-1 to TE2-3 do not overlap eachother. For example, each of the first touch patterns TE1-1 to TE1-3 andthe second touch patterns TE2-1 to TE2-3 may have a bar shape having apredetermined width.

The touch sensing member pad upper pads PD-U may be disposed on distalends of the first and second touch signal lines SL1 and SL2. The touchsensing member pad upper pads PD-U may include an upper display panelpad PD-PDU and an upper touch sensing member pad PD-TSU. The upper padsPD-U may be formed through the same process as the first touch patternsTE1-1 to TE-3, the first touch signal lines SL1, the second touchpatterns TE2-1 to TE2-2, and second touch signal lines SL2.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion AA of FIG. 9 . FIG. 11 is across-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 10 .

The display area DA includes a plurality of emission areas PXA and anon-emission area NPXA surrounding the plurality of emission areas PXA.The first sensing patterns SP1 may have a mash shape that overlaps thenon-emission area NPXA. Although not particularly shown, the secondsensing patterns SP2 and the touch signal lines SL1 and SL2 may alsohave the mesh shape that overlaps the non-emission area NPXA.

The sensing patterns SP1 includes a plurality of vertical portions SP1-Cextending in the first direction DR1 and a plurality of horizontalportions SP1-L extending in the second direction DR2. The plurality ofvertical portions SP1-C and the plurality of horizontal portions SP1-Lmay be defined as a mesh line. The mesh line may have a line width ofseveral micrometers.

The plurality of vertical portions SP1-C and the plurality of horizontalportions SP1-L may be connected to each other to define a plurality ofopenings TS-OP. Although a structure in which the touch openings TS-OPone-to-one correspond to the light emitting areas PXA is illustrated,the embodiment of the inventive concept is not limited thereto. Onetouch opening TS-OP may correspond to two or more light emitting areasPXA. Although the mesh line exposed to the outside is illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11 , the display module DM (see FIG. 4 ) may furtherinclude an insulation layer disposed on the thin film encapsulationlayer TFE to cover the mesh line.

FIG. 12 is a view of the display panel pads PD-DP of FIG. 5 and thetouch sensing member pads PD-TS of FIG. 9 . The display module DM mayinclude an active area AR-ACV, a pad area AR-PD, and a boundary areaAR-BD disposed between the active area AR-CV and the pad area AR-PD.

In the active area AR-ACV, the display module DM includes a firstconductive pattern CDP1. In the pad area AR-PD, the display module DMincludes a second conductive pattern CDP2. In the boundary area AR-BD,the display module DM includes a third conductive pattern CDP3. Each ofthe first to third conductive patterns CDP1 to CDP3 may include a metalas a pattern for conducting an electrical signal for driving the displaypanel DP or the touch sensing member TS.

The display panel pads PD-DP and the touch sensing member pads PD-TS maybe disposed adjacent to each other. Also, the display panel pads PD-DPand the touch sensing member pads PD-TS may be disposed parallel to eachother. However, the embodiment of the inventive concept is not limitedthereto. For example, the display panel pads PD-DP and the touch sensingmember pads PD-TS may be spaced apart from each other as necessary, butbe not disposed parallel to each other.

FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 .FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 12. FIG. 13C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 12. FIGS. 13A to 13C illustrate an embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 13A that illustrates the touch sensing member pad, thebase layer SUB includes an active area AR-ACV, a pad area AR-PD, and aboundary area AR-BD between the active area AR-CV and the pad areaAR-PD.

In the active area AR-ACV, the pad area AR-PD, and the boundary areaAR-BD according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the activearea AR-ACV may be an area including the light emitting device layerELL, the pad area AR-PD may be an area including the display panel padsPD-DP and the touch sensing member pads PD-TS to which a signal isapplied from the printed circuit board, and the boundary area AR-BD maybe an area between the active area AR-ACV and the pad area AR-PD.

The circuit layers CL1 and CL2 are disposed on the base layer SUB. Thecircuit layer CL1 and CL2 includes a first circuit layer CL1 and asecond circuit layer CL2. The first circuit layer CL1 is disposed on theactive area AR-ACV of the base layer SUB. The second circuit layer CL2is disposed on the pad area AR-PD of the base layer SUB.

The light emitting layer ELL and the thin film encapsulation layer TFEare disposed on the first circuit layer CL1. The first and secondcircuit layers CL1 and CL2 may include functional layers BR and BF,respectively. For convenience, in the functional layers BR and BF, thefunction layer of the first circuit layer CL1 may be referred to as afirst functional layer, and the functional layer of the second circuitlayer CL2 may be referred to as a second functional layer.

Because the first circuit layer CL1, the light emitting device layerELL, and the thin film encapsulation layer TFE are illustrated in FIGS.7 and 8 , their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

The touch sensing member TS may be disposed on the thin filmencapsulation layer TFE. The touch sensing member TS includes a touchinorganic layer IL-T, an insulation pattern IL-P, a plurality of touchelectrodes, and a touch protection layer PVX on a cross-section. Each ofthe touch inorganic layer IL-T and the insulation pattern IL-P mayinclude an inorganic material. The touch protection layer PVX mayinclude an organic material.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the plurality of touch electrodes may form firsttouch patterns TE1-1 to TE1-3, first touch signal lines SL1, secondtouch patterns TE2-1 to TE2-2, and second touch signal lines SL2.

The second circuit layer CL2 may include a second conductive patternCDP2 (see FIG. 12 ) and organic/inorganic layers BR, BF, 12, 14, and 16.The second conductive pattern CDP2 may include a display panel pad PD-DPand a touch sensing member pad PD-TS. The organic/inorganic layers BR,BF, 12, 14, and 16 may include second functional layers BR and BF, afirst insulation layer 12, a second insulation layer 14, and a thirdinsulation layer 16.

The display panel pad PD-DP may be disposed on the second functionallayer and be electrically connected to the first circuit layer CL1. Atleast one of the first and second insulation layers 12 and 14 may bedisposed between the display panel pad PD-DP and the second functionallayer.

The display panel pad PD-DP may include a lower display panel pad PD-DPDand an upper display panel pad PD-DPU. The lower display panel padPD-DPD is electrically connected to the first conductive pattern CDP1through the third conductive pattern CDP3. The upper display panel padPD-DPU is disposed on the lower display panel pad PD-DPD and iselectrically connected to the lower display panel pad PD-DPD. Thus, anelectrical signal applied to the upper display panel pad PD-DPU isapplied to the first conductive pattern CDP1 of the first circuit layerCL1 via the lower display panel pad PD-DPD.

A boundary layer BDL is disposed on the boundary area AR-BD of the baselayer SUB. The boundary layer BDL may include an organic layer OG and athird conductive pattern CDP3. The organic layer OG may contact a topsurface of the base layer SUB and be disposed between the first andsecond circuit layers CL1 and CL2. More particularly, the organic layerOG may be disposed between the first and second functional layers.

The boundary layer BDL may not include an inorganic layer including aninorganic material, unlike the first and second circuit layers CL1 andCL2. Thus, the boundary layer BDL may be improved in flexibility, and aportion of the display panel DP, which overlaps the boundary area AR-BD,may be easily bent.

An organic layer may be further disposed on the third conductive patternCDP3. The organic layer disposed on the third conductive pattern CDP3may be formed through the same process as the third insulation layer 16or the pixel defining layer PXL.

The third conductive pattern CDP3 may be formed through the same processas the lower display panel pad PD-DPD. However, the embodiment of theinventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, the thirdconductive pattern CDP3 may be formed through a separate process tocontact the lower display panel pad PD-DPD and then be electricallyconnected to the lower display panel pad PD-DPD.

Referring to FIG. 13B, the touch signal line SL2 of the touch sensingmember TS is electrically connected to the third conductive pattern CDP3on the active area AR-ACV. The third conductive pattern CDP3 iselectrically connected to the upper touch sensing member pad PD-TSU onthe pad area AR-PD. Here, the third conductive pattern CDP3 may beelectrically insulated from the lower touch sensing member pad PD-TSD.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 13B, the touch sensing member TS includes firsttouch patterns TE1-1 to TE1-3 and second touch patterns TE2-1 to TE2-2,which are disposed on the active area AR-ACV, a touch sensing member padPD-TS disposed on the pad area AR-PD, and touch signal lines SL1 and SL2electrically connecting the touch patterns TE1-1 to TE1-3 and TE2-1 toTE2-2 to the touch sensing member pad PD-TS.

The touch sensing member pad PD-TS may include a lower touch sensingmember pad PD-TSD and an upper touch sensing member pad PD-TSU. Theupper touch sensing member pad PD-TSU is electrically connected to thetouch patterns TE1-1 to TE1-3 and TE2-1 to TE2-2 through the touchsignal lines SL1 and SL2 and the third conductive pattern CDP3. That is,the upper touch sensing member pad PD-TSU is electrically connected tothe sensing patterns SP1 and SP2 through the touch signal lines SL1 andSL2 and the third conductive pattern CDP3.

The lower touch sensing member pad PD-TSD may be electrically insulatedfrom the upper touch sensing member pad PD-TSU. However, the embodimentof the inventive concept is not limited thereto. According to anotherembodiment of the inventive concept, the lower touch sensing member padPD-TSD may be electrically connected to the upper touch sensing memberpad PD-TSU.

The upper touch sensing member pad PD-TSU is disposed on the lower touchsensing member pad PD-TSD. The upper touch sensing member pad PD-TSU maybe disposed at a height that increases by a thickness of the lower touchsensing member pad PD-TSD.

In FIG. 13B, the third conductive pattern CDP3 is not electricallyconnected to the first conductive pattern CDP1, unlike the thirdconductive pattern CDP3 of FIG. 13 . However, the embodiment of theinventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, as necessary, thethird conductive pattern CDP3 and the first conductive pattern CDP1 ofFIG. 14 may be electrically connected to each other.

In FIG. 13B, descriptions with respect to other components will beomitted because the components are substantially the same as those ofFIG. 13A.

A length HH1 measured from the base layer SUB to the upper display panelpad PD-DPU is substantially the same as that HH2 measured from the baselayer SUB to the upper touch sensing member pad PD-TSU.

Although not shown, in another embodiment of the inventive concept, atleast one of the touch inorganic layer IL-T or the insulation patternsIL-P may be disposed on the boundary area AR-BD. That is, in this case,at least one of the touch inorganic layer IL-T and the insulationpattern IL-P may be disposed on an entire surface of the active areaAR-ACV, the pad area AR-PD, and the boundary area AR-BD.

Referring to FIG. 13C, the upper display panel pad PD-DPU and the uppertouch sensing member pad PD-TSU may be disposed on the same layer. Theupper display panel pad PD-DPU may be electrically connected to thelower display panel pad PD-DPD through a sixth through hole CH6.Although not shown, a dummy electrode may be disposed on the firstinsulation layer 12.

Thus, in a process in which the printed circuit board is attached to thedisplay panel pad PD-DP and the touch sensing member pad PD-TS, apressure applied to the pads PD-DP and PD-TS may be same because thedisplay panel pad PD-DP and the touch sensing member pad PD-TS has asame height. Thus, defects occurring in the process in which the printedcircuit board is attached may be prevented from occurring. Also,durability against stress applied from the outside may be improvedaccording to the manipulation operation of the flexible display deviceDD.

FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 .FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 12. FIGS. 14C and 14D are cross-sectional views taken along line IV-IV′ ofFIG. 12 , respectively. FIGS. 14A to 14C illustrate an embodiment of theinventive concept.

Descriptions with reference to FIG. 14A are substantially the same asthose with reference to FIG. 13A and thus will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 14B and 14C, the upper touch sensing member padPD-TSU may be electrically connected to the lower touch sensing memberpad PD-TSD through a seventh through hole CH7.

FIG. 14D illustrates a state in which each of the sixth through hole CH6and the seventh through hole CH7 has a width greater than that of eachof the through holes of FIG. 14C.

Descriptions with respect to other components are substantially the sameas those of the components of FIGS. 13A to 13C and thus will be omitted.

FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 .FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 12. FIG. 15C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 12. FIGS. 15A to 15C illustrate an embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15C, the upper display panel pad PD-DPUcontacts the lower display panel pad PD-DPD. Referring to FIGS. 15B and15C, the upper touch sensing member pad PD-TSU contacts the lower touchsensing member pad PD-TSD.

Descriptions with respect to other components are substantially the sameas those of the components of FIGS. 13A to 13C and thus will be omitted.

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 .FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 12. FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 12. FIGS. 16A to 16C illustrate an embodiment of the inventive concept.

The third conductive pattern CDP3 of FIGS. 16A and 16B are electricallyconnected to the first conductive pattern CDP1 through an electrode GE3that is formed through the same process as the control electrodes GE1and GE2, unlike the above-described third conductive pattern CDP3.

Descriptions with respect to other components of FIGS. 16A and 16C aresubstantially the same as those of the components of FIGS. 13A and 13Band thus will be omitted. Descriptions with reference to FIG. 16C aresubstantially the same as those with reference to FIG. 13C and thus willbe omitted.

FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 .FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 12. FIGS. 17C and 17D are cross-sectional views taken along line IV-IV′ ofFIG. 12 . FIGS. 17A to 17D illustrate an embodiment of the inventiveconcept.

The third conductive pattern CDP3 of FIGS. 17A and 17B are electricallyconnected to the first conductive pattern CDP1 through the electrode GE3that is formed through the same process as the control electrodes GE1and GE2.

Descriptions with respect to other components of FIGS. 17A and 17B aresubstantially the same as those of the components of FIGS. 14A and 14Band thus will be omitted. Descriptions with reference to FIGS. 17C and17D are substantially the same as those with reference to FIGS. 14C and14D and thus will be omitted.

FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 .FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 12. FIG. 18C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 12. FIGS. 18A to 18C illustrate an embodiment of the inventive concept.

The third conductive pattern CDP3 of FIGS. 18A and 18B are electricallyconnected to the first conductive pattern CDP1 through the electrode GE3that is formed through the same process as the control electrodes GE1and GE2.

Descriptions with respect to other components of FIGS. 18A and 18B aresubstantially the same as those of the components of FIGS. 15A and 15Band thus will be omitted. Descriptions with respect to FIG. 18C aresubstantially the same as those with respect to FIG. 15C and thus willbe omitted.

FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 .FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 12. FIG. 19C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 12. FIGS. 19A to 19C illustrate an embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19C, the display panel pad PD-DP has a singlelayered structure. Referring to FIGS. 19B and 19C, the touch sensingmember pad PD-TS has a single layered structure.

Descriptions with respect to other components are substantially the sameas those of the components of FIGS. 13A to 13C and thus will be omitted.

FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 .FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 12. FIG. 20C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 12. FIGS. 20A to 20C illustrate an embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIGS. 20A and 20C, the display panel pad PD-DP has a singlelayered structure. Referring to FIGS. 20B and 20C, the touch sensingmember pad PD-TS has a single layered structure.

Descriptions with respect to other components are substantially the sameas those of the components of FIGS. 20A and 20C and thus will beomitted.

As illustrated in FIGS. 19A to 19C and 20A to 20C according to anembodiment of the inventive concept, since the display panel pad PD-DPand the touch sensing member pad PD-TS are disposed at the same heightwith the single layered structure, the defects that may occur in themanufacturing process may be reduced.

FIG. 21A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 12 .FIG. 21B is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 12. FIG. 21C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 12. FIGS. 21A to 21C illustrate an embodiment of the inventive concept.

The second conductive pattern CDP2 may include a dummy electrode ET-D, adisplay panel pad PD-DP, and a touch sensing member pad PD-TS.

The dummy electrode ET-D may include the same material as the controlelectrode GE2 of the first circuit layer CL1. The dummy electrode ET-Dmay be formed through the same process as the control electrode GE2. Thedummy electrode ET-D may be insulated from other electrodes and performa function for adjusting a height of the display panel pad PD-DP on thepad area AR-PD.

Descriptions with respect to other components are substantially the sameas those of the components of FIGS. 13A to 13B and thus will be omitted.

FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate a display module DM and printed circuitboards PCB and PCB-1 according to an embodiment of the inventiveconcept.

Referring to FIG. 22 , pads PD-TS and PD-DP of the display module DM areelectrically connected to pads PD-PCB of the printed circuit board PCB.An integrated circuit DIC may be disposed on the printed circuit boardPCB. The integrated circuit DIC may be formed in a chip on flexibleprinted circuit (COF) manner. The integrated circuit DIC maytransmit/receive data information into/from the display module DMthrough the pads PD-PCB, PD-TS, and PD-DP.

Referring to FIG. 23 , an integrated circuit DIC-1 may be disposed onthe pad area AR-PD of the display module DM. Here, the integratedcircuit DIC-1 may be formed in a chip on plastic (COP) manner.

Although the touch signal lines SL1 and SL2 are not connected to theintegrated circuit DIC-1 in FIG. 23 , the embodiment of the inventiveconcept is not limited thereto. In an embodiment of the inventiveconcept, each of the touch signal lines SL1 and SL2 may have a structurethat is connected to the integrated circuit DIC-1.

FIG. 24 illustrates a bent shape of the display module DM according toan embodiment of the inventive concept. Referring to FIG. 24 , thedisplay module DM may be bent in the boundary area AR-BD. As describedabove, the boundary area AR-BD of the display module DM may not includean inorganic material layer, but include only an organic material layer.Thus, the boundary area AR-BD may have flexibility that is sufficient tobe bent.

According to the embodiment of the inventive concept, the pad unit ofthe display panel and the pad unit of the touch sensing member may bedisposed at the same height.

According to the embodiment of the inventive concept, the bendingportion of the display panel may have the improved flexibility.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the inventive concept. Thus,it is intended that the present disclosure covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents. Thus, to the maximum extentallowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determinedby the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims andtheir equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by theforegoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a base layerincluding a display area and a non-display area; a display element layerdisposed on the base layer to overlap the display area; an encapsulationlayer disposed on the display element layer; a touch sensor disposed onthe encapsulation layer; a first pad disposed on the base layer tooverlap the non-display area; and a second pad disposed on the firstpad, wherein one of the first pad and the second pad is electricallyconnected to one of the display element layer and the touch sensor,wherein the touch sensor comprises a touch insulation layer overlappingthe display area and the non-display area, and wherein the touchinsulation layer is disposed between the first pad and the second pad.2. The display device of claim 1, wherein the display element layerincludes a pixel and the one of the first pad and the second pad iselectrically connected to the pixel, and wherein the touch sensorincludes a conductive pattern and the other one of the first pad and thesecond pad is electrically connected to the conductive pattern.
 3. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the other one of the first pad andthe second pad includes a floating dummy electrode.
 4. The displaydevice of claim 1, wherein the one of the first pad and the second padconnected to the display device layer is disposed on the same layer asthe display device layer and the other one of the first pad and thesecond pad connected to the touch sensor is disposed on the same layeras the touch sensor.
 5. The display device of claim 1, wherein the firstpad includes a first lower pad and a second lower pad disposed adjacentto the first lower pad, the second pad includes a first upper pad and asecond upper pad disposed adjacent to the first upper pad, and the firstupper pad is disposed on the first lower pad and the second upper pad isdisposed on the second lower pad.
 6. The display device of claim 5,wherein the first lower pad is connected to the display element layer,the second lower pad includes a floating dummy electrode, the firstupper pad includes a floating dummy electrode, and the second upper padis connected to the touch sensor.
 7. The display device of claim 5,wherein the first upper pad is electrically connected to the first lowerpad.
 8. The display device of claim 5, further comprising an insulatinglayer disposed between the first upper pad and the first lower pad,wherein the first upper pad and the first lower pad are electricallyconnected to each other through a through hole that passes through theinsulating layer.
 9. The display device of claim 5, wherein the secondupper pad and the second lower pad constitute a sensing pad, and thefirst upper pad and the first lower pad constitute a display pad, andwherein a thickness of the sensing pad and a thickness of the displaypad are the same.
 10. The display device of claim 9, wherein the sensingpad comprises a first sensing pad and a second sensing pad spaced apartfrom each other in one direction in a plan view, and the display pad isdisposed between the first sensing pad and the second sensing pad. 11.The display device of claim 9, wherein the sensing pad and the displaypad have the same lamination structure.
 12. The display device of claim1, wherein the touch sensor is directly disposed on the encapsulationlayer.